Senior Project Manager – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Senior Project Manager – Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
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Job Description
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
14 October 2025-23:59-GMT01:00 Central European Time (Rome)WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race colour national origin ethnic or social background genetic information gender gender identity and/or expression sexual orientation religion or belief HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict disasters and the impact of climate change.
At WFP people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse committed skilled and high performing teams selected on merit operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment living WFPs values (Integrity Collaboration Commitment Humanity and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.
To learn more about WFP visit our website: follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Twitter TikTok.
WHY JOIN WFP
WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
WFP offers a highly inclusive diverse and multicultural working environment.
WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training accreditation coaching mentorship and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country regional and global offices around the world and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).
JOB TITLE: Senior Project Manager Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
TYPE OF CONTRACT: WAE International Consultant (Level 2)
UNIT/DIVISION: TEC Emergency Preparedness and Response Branch TECF
DUTY STATION (City Country): Admin Dubai UAE (Remote)
DURATION: 11 Months
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The WFP Information Technology Emergency Preparedness & Response Branch (TECF) is responsible for coordinating and managing the IT response to emergencies for WFP and - as the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) lead agency - the wider humanitarian response community. As the operational branch of WFP Information Technology this branch leads global coordination advocacy and partnerships for the ETC.
As humanitarian crises have become more complex there has been an increasing need for WFP to enhance its ability to prepare for emergencies and respond to them by mapping vulnerabilities more efficiently and effectively prepare for disasters. During times of crisis rapid damage analysis needs to be conducted to quickly identify the type of assistance required and be able to restore connectivity quickly to enable critical communications in emergency situations.
In response to these challenges WFP is harnessing the technology of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones to improve its disaster preparedness and response operations. WFP is blending the expertise between technology services in emergency preparedness and response aviation and aviation safety to operationalize the use of UAS in field through responsible innovation and with a clear governance framework in place.
Innovative solutions such as Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence allow to conduct large scale assessments in different areas such as disaster damages crop monitoring search and rescue among others.
As part of its strategy to leverage technology to end hunger by 2030 (in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger) WFP has been developing the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in humanitarian action since 2017.
We are seeking to fill a position of Senior Project Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) based at our Headquarters in Rome Italy and covering UAS projects globally.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of TECF the incumbent will be expected to manage the multi-donor funded program activities as well as new multiple projects with high funds amount as per current plans; elaborate 2024 UAS
Strategy and the execution plan support UAS Framework in collaboration with Aviation and Aviation Safety design solutions for the effective use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology for the broader humanitarian community in both steady-state operations and deployment during emergencies lead a global UAS team oversee the training activities covered in the projects as well as address potential safety and data protection risks associated to the integration of the technology and define risk avoidance and mitigation actions ensure drones advocacy activities. The role will focus on servicing a range of internal clients and external stakeholders including Donors Governments Partners Humanitarian Community Academia and worldwide relevant foundations collaborating on targeted and bespoken solutions.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Lead 2024 UAS Strategy development and execution plan by integrating the overall WFP Drones purpose and wanted position as well as relevant Headquarters Divisions and Regional Bureaux/Hubs objectives;
Lead the overall structure and mapping of the UAS donors contributions towards the key pillars of the UAS strategy: Policy & standards-setting Strategy Planning & coordination Pilots & incubation Scale up & deployment Knowledge management. Consequently lead the implementation and planning of all UAS donor funded activities including ensuring timely and transparent negotiation and finalization of contracts for all those services required to implement the activities capacity-building exercises workshops trainings LTAs equipment procurement etc.);
Engage with SMEs in Functional Areas Regional Bureaux and Country Offices to gather insights to create synergies in the development funding proposals implementation technical support and M&E of UAS projects and activities;
Lead new Business Development by engaging internal and external stakeholders to continue being at the forefront of innovative sustainable solutions in the drones humanitarian context;
Build strategic partnerships with UN agencies NGOs Clusters etc. and other WFP branches for potential synergies in opportunities to collaborate with a specific focus on the UAS coordination aspect;
Expansion of partnerships through WFPs Standby Partnerships led by ALITE team in the Emergency Operations Division Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and joint activities with other humanitarian entities;
Maintain and share knowledge of external industry developments and where appropriate integrate them into WFP UAS activities;
Reports (per event mid-term and final) as required from Donors including all other forms of engagement to ensure they are informed on project progress;
Collaborate with Aviation Aviation safety on UAS framework ensuring needed Directives are in place;
Lead and ensure relevant outcomes to WFP Drones from the established working groups: Operations Imagery Connectivity and Ethics with participants from Government Donors Academia and worldwide relevant foundations;
Address safety and data protection risks-associated to the integration of new technology define risk avoidance and mitigation actions ensuring WFP Data Protection guidelines for UAS Data Collection are followed in the different type of drones activities;
Lead and coordinate Drones Advocacy activities including 2024 UAS Strategy launch Drones Website publications public speaking factsheets and written material in collaboration with TEC Communications;
Lead and supervise a high performing team monitoring performance providing coaching and guidance and identify/facilitate opportunities to maintain high performance;
Perform other related duties as required.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT
2024 UAS Strategy developed execution plan defined and operationalized along the year;
Comprehensive project plans for all UAS funded activities and related implementation including negotiation and finalization of contracts capacity-building exercises workshops trainings LTAs equipment procurement;
New UAS innovative solution(s) developed;
Integration of external industry developments where appropriate into WFP UAS activities;
Expansion of partnerships through ALITE team in the Emergency Operations Division Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and joint activities with other humanitarian entities;
Reports as required from Donors including all other forms of engagement to ensure they are informed on project progress;
Needed Directives in place in the UAS Framework context;
Relevant outcomes to WFP Drones from the collaboration with internal and external stakeholders;
WFP Data Protection guidelines for UAS Data Collection followed in the different type of drones activities;
Drones Advocacy activity plan set and executed;
High performing team in place;
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education: University degree in Telecommunications Engineering
Information Systems Business and/or Project Management or any related discipline.
Experience: 10 years of experience in project management with 6 years in
the UN system NGOs or INGOs is desirable.
Experience leading dynamic teams to deliver excellent results; Demonstrated experience building strong relationships with business partners & ability to manage higher level coordination both sideways and upwards;
Good understanding of UAS solutions.
Knowledge
& Skills:
Languages:
Excellent written and oral English including presentation skills; Excellent leadership and management skills including interpersonal skills to collaborate and influence internally with various stakeholders and subject matter experts across business functions levels and geographic areas;
Ability to actively listen and incorporate different perspectives into the work process;
Ability to plan and organize work programme; ability to work with minimum supervision under own initiative;
Strong creative problem-solving skills; agile flexible and patient; ability to work with ambiguity constructive approach to overcoming challenges and build consensus across diverse and global teams;
UAS Remote Pilot Certificate desirable;
Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description including flexibility to travel from duty station on short notice to serve in remote areas or during emergencies for extended periods.
Ability to influence and adapt communication styles to different situations and individuals;
Ability to work independently to prioritize and to meet deadlines Collaborative hands-on team member relationship-builder with a strong business partnering skills and customer service orientation.
Fluency in oral and written English is required. An intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic Chinese French Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFPs working languages) is desirab
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Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation please contact:
NO FEE DISCLAIMER
The United Nations does not charge any application processing training interviewing testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee please disregard it. Furthermore please note that emblems logos names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application.
Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
Additional documents such as passport recommendation letters academic certificates etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
Please contact us at in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified
All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs job requirements merit and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse all forms of discrimination any kind of harassment sexual harassment and abuse of authority. Therefore all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) FAO Finance Committee WFP External Auditor WFP Audit Committee Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.
Required Experience:
Senior IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
